Just in case it's not clear yet: It's pretty much up to you to decide this. In game, the sponsor contracts expire. But if you would rather like to keep the existing sponsors, you can tell me that and I might extend the contracts manually.
The Tour of Qatar is the most important cycling race in the Arabic area. Held since 2002, the overall was always won by a sprinter. Record winner is Tom Boonen with three victories.
The six stages are without exception flat and rather short. Except for the 2 km prologue, all stages can be expected to end in a mass sprint.
Spoiler
Result in 2011
1
Chris Sutton
Sky ProCycling
2
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
3
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
4
Angel Madrazo
Movistar Team
5
Ruben Plaza
Movistar Team
Favorites
Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) , Allan Davis (GreenEdge)
Type 1
161. I.Melero
162. F.Calabria
163. J.Eldridge
164. R.Sarti
As we don't expect the prologue to make much difference, the overall will be decided by the bonus seconds in the bunch sprint, therefore we can expect a sprinter to win the tour. Only the small chance of a breakaway succeeding could spoil the sprinter's party.
With the absolute world class sprinters missing, Matty Goss and his strong GreenEdge team are the top favorites, especially as they already proved their shape earlier this season.
Team Liquigas
With Elia Viviani and Simone Ponzi, two of our top sprinters start their season here and we hope for a couple of good placements. Daniel Oss shall try to lead them out. As they aren't in a decent shape yet, we have Maciej Paterski as an outside shot.
Report - Part One
As expected, the 2,5 km in Doha can't create notable time gaps. For a long time, GreenEdge's Sebastian Langeveld leads with only parts of a second to his competitors, but then, one after another, lots of riders lower his time.
Eventually, the pre-stage top favorite Jos Van Emden (Skil) lives up to the expectations. Only one single second decides in his favour and against Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha) and Miguel Rubiano (D'Angelo), who are classified within the same time.
Liquigas has no truck with the decision, Alessandro Vanotti on 40, seven seconds behind, is their best rider. In total, 15 seconds seperate the best and the worst rider today.
Jos Van Emden triuphs in this scenic landscape.
1
Jos Van Emden
Skil – Shimano
3'08
2
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
+ 1
3
Miguel Rubiano
D'Angelo & Antenucci – Nippo
s.t.
As usual, the stage in the desert is characterized by strong winds. Lots of riders try to get into the break of the day which eventually consists of 10 riders, most notable Angel Vicioso (Androni). They are caught with 10 kms to go.
In the sprint, Simone Ponzi decides to follow Matt Goss who gets his train with 7 km to go. But within the last 4 kms, the train suddenly falls back and Ponzi has to come from far back. Eventually, he finishes nineth. In the meantime, Elia Favilli leads out his leader Oscar Gatto just perfectly and the Italian has no problems to take an easy win in front of Rojas and Galimzyanov.
Gatto's win was well-deserved after an incredible lead out by Favilli.
1
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini – Neri Sottoli
3h03'23
2
Jose Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
s.t.
3
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
Today, even 11 riders are allowed to break free. Jonas Ljungblad is probably the most known. But again the peloton is attentive enough – too many teams are eager for a sprint.
This time, Liquigas tries to build their own train but fails impressively. Neither Oss nor Viviani could keep up with the front and Ponzi had no chance. In contrary to that, Farnese Vini again did their best, Guardini sets up Gatto perfectly, but Joaquin Rojas jumped from his wheel and took the win.
Due to the enormous pace on the last kilometers, the peloton splits. Only 55 riders finish within the same time as the winner.
Gatto and Rojas are the dominant sprinters in Qatar.
Today's large break has no chance against the chasing of Movistar. After our failure on the last stage, we don't build our own train. Ponzi follows Rojas, Viviani catches Gatto's wheel.
Unfortunatly, both lose contact to the top sprinters shortly before the sprint starts and again miss out the Top 10. Very disappointing. Meanwhile, Oscar Gatto can take another undisputed win thanks to the perfect lead out by Andrea Guardini. As Rojas finishes fourth and misses bonus seconds, this might be a big step towards the overall for Gatto.
Gatto underlines his superior role in Qatar with his second stage win.
1
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini – Neri Sottoli
3h22'04
2
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
3
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
Same procedure as every day: An early break is caught within the last kilometers. Ponzi and Viviani try to grab the right wheels but they're just not good enough at the moment. At least, Ponzi scores the best result for Liquigas so far – an eigth place.
For the first time, Oscar Gatto makes a mistake in the sprint. Of course he is weel placed by Andrea Guardini but he reacts way too late as the other riders start to pass him and finishes only fourth. Joaquin Rojas wins the stage and regains the overall lead by one second to Gatto. Mirco Lorenzetto on two climbs up to third overall.
What an exciting duell between Rojas and Gatto – both have two stage wins now!
1
Jose Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
3h00'16
2
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
3
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
The last stage is characterized completely by the fight for the overall between Oscar Gatto and Jose Joaquin Rojas. Therefore, the morning break has of course no chance.
Gatto's lead out isn't as good as the last days: He is placed at the front, but far too early. He is in the wind with 1,8 km already and hasn't anything left as Rojas flies by and takes both the stage and the overall! For Liquigas, Simone Ponzi achieves the best result being sixth.
With his third stage win, Jose Joaquin Rojas wins the overall of the Tour of Qatar!
1
Jose Joaquin Rojas
Movistar Team
2h20'15
2
Matthew Goss
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
3
Marcel Kittel
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
Classifications
Overall
1
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
15h11'44
2
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 21
3
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
+ 55
4
Matthew Goss
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1'00
5
Jos Van Emden
Skil - Shimano
+ 1'06
6
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'07
7
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
8
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Katusha Team
+ 1'08
9
Enrico Gasparotto
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
10
Martin Gilbert
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
+ 1'09
Spoiler
11
Ian Stannard
Endura Racing
s.t.
12
Vladimir Efimkin
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
13
Christian Poos
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
14
Kevin Lacombe
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
+ 1'10
15
José Vicente García Acosta
Movistar Team
s.t.
16
Sebastian Langeveld
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
17
Jonas Ljungblad
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
18
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
19
Andrew Pinfold
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
s.t.
20
Joe Eldridge
Team Type 1
s.t.
21
Sheldon Deeny
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 1'11
22
Stuart O'Grady
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
23
Russell Downing
Endura Racing
+ 1'12
24
Filippo Pozzato
Katusha Team
s.t.
25
Marcin Sapa
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
26
Diego Caccia
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
27
Matthew Hayman
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1'13
28
Elia Favilli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
s.t.
29
Karsten Kroon
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
30
Roger Kluge
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
31
Alessandro Bertolini
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
32
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1'14
33
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'15
34
David Tanner
GreenEdge Cycling
s.t.
35
Allan Davis
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 1'16
36
Francesco Ginanni
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
37
Cyrille Heymans
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
s.t.
38
Leonardo Giordani
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 1'19
39
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 1'21
40
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
+ 2'46
41
Miguel Rubiano
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 2'54
42
José Belda
Movistar Team
+ 2'58
43
Pierpaolo De Negri
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 3'04
44
Wesley Sulzberger
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 3'05
45
Denis Galimzyanov
Katusha Team
+ 3'19
46
Maarten De Jonge
Endura Racing
s.t.
47
Francisco José Ventoso
Pro Team Astana
+ 3'39
48
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
+ 3'40
49
Ian Wilkinson
Endura Racing
s.t.
50
Maxim Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
51
Scott Davis
GreenEdge Cycling
+ 3'41
52
Roy Curvers
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'42
53
Valentin Iglinskiy
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
54
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
55
Martin Reimer
Skil - Shimano
+ 3'44
56
Enrique Sanz
Movistar Team
+ 3'49
57
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
+ 4'16
58
Maciej Paterski
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'19
59
Matt Cronshaw
Endura Racing
+ 4'23
60
Iván Melero
Team Type 1
s.t.
61
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 4'24
62
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 4'27
63
Alexander Ryabkin
Caja Rural
+ 4'29
64
Guillermo Lana
Caja Rural
+ 4'44
65
Rustam Kozlov
Itera - Katusha
+ 4'59
66
Daniel Oss
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'03
67
Danilo Andrenacci
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 5'15
68
Ignatas Konovalovas
Movistar Team
+ 5'18
69
Christian Meier
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
s.t.
70
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Skil - Shimano
+ 5'19
71
Tanel Kangert
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
72
Kevyn Ista
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
73
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
74
Alessandro Vanotti
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 5'21
75
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 5'22
76
Carlos Oyarzun
Movistar Team
s.t.
77
Robert Förster
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 5'24
78
Nikolas Maes
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 5'25
79
Michel Kreder
Skil - Shimano
s.t.
80
Davide Frattini
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 5'26
81
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
82
Nikita Novikov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
83
Jens Keukeleire
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 5'54
84
Christopher Jones
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 5'59
85
Franco Pellizotti
Katusha Team
+ 6'07
86
Alexander Zdanov
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 7'47
87
Fabio Calabria
Team Type 1
+ 7'48
88
Robert Partridge
Endura Racing
+ 7'53
89
Kalle Kriit
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 8'38
90
Marcel Kittel
Skil - Shimano
+ 8'39
91
Cédric Gaoua
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 8'46
92
Ryan Anderson
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
+ 8'50
93
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
+ 8'52
94
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 8'54
95
Simone Cadamuro
Androni Giocattoli
+ 8'55
96
Vyacheslav Kuznetsov
Itera - Katusha
+ 8'56
97
Rubén Reig
Caja Rural
+ 10'06
98
Lucas Euser
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
+ 10'08
99
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
+ 10'48
100
Dean Downing
Endura Racing
+ 10'50
101
Nuno Ribeiro
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 11'19
102
Karl Menzies
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 11'20
103
Masaaki Kikuchi
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 11'21
104
Higinio Fernández
Caja Rural
+ 11'53
105
Charly Vives
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
+ 11'56
106
Damiano Caruso
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 12'56
107
Rory Sutherland
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 12'57
108
Antonio Colom
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
s.t.
109
Luca Ascani
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 13'00
110
Mikhail Antonov
Itera - Katusha
+ 13'03
111
Stefan Cohnen
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 13'04
112
Jonathan Patrick McCarty
Team SpiderTech powered by C10
s.t.
113
Salvatore Commesso
Androni Giocattoli
+ 13'05
114
Dimitry Ignatiev
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
115
Gediminas Kaupas
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 13'06
116
Kirill Baranov
Itera - Katusha
s.t.
117
Ryohei Komori
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
+ 13'07
118
Cristian Laurenti
D'Angelo & Antenucci - Nippo
s.t.
119
Raffaele Sarti
Team Type 1
+ 13'08
120
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
+ 15'29
121
Giuseppe Di Salvo
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 18'47
122
Omar Bertazzo
Androni Giocattoli
+ 20'58
123
Javier Iriarte
Movistar Team
+ 22'07
124
Rudy Lesschaeve
Team Differdange - Magic-Sportfood.de
+ 23'17
125
Igor Romero
Caja Rural
s.t.
126
Scott Thwaites
Endura Racing
+ 23'19
127
Trent Lowe
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling
+ 23'55
128
Viktor Shmalko
Itera - Katusha
+ 23'56
Points
1
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
109
2
Oscar Gatto
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
98
3
Mirco Lorenzetto
Pro Team Astana
63
4
Marcel Kittel
Skil - Shimano
61
5
Samuel Dumoulin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
60
Young Riders
1
Andrea Guardini
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
15h12'51
2
Ian Stannard
Endura Racing
+ 2
3
Elia Favilli
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 6
4
Simone Ponzi
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 8
5
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 14
Teams
1
Skil - Shimano
45h38'37
2
Katusha Team
+ 1
3
Endura Racing
+ 6
The Winner
Over the last years, the Spaniard José Joaquin Rojas developed into one of the world's best sprinters. In the decent concurrence of Qatar, he underlines his ambitions for more important results later this season.
Liquigas Resumé
Liquigas experienced a rather disappointing race. We defenitely hoped for more than three Top 10s, but eventually we had to realize that it was the optimum for Ponzi's and Viviani's season kick off. Hopefully, they can show more in future races.
well you cant win in every race and liquigas really had a fine start to the season - i think a new main sponsor could be interesting at least i really like it in my careers
oh and i never congratulated dominik for his overall win although its already been some days ago - so: really nice!!! keep it up in the next races
Ponzi going better and better, but still far from the podium (who cares in a preparation race ).Impressive ride by Gatto and his lead-out boys.Same with Rojas of course.
@ johannes-w: You're right, I'm not too disappointed about the results, that happens. And thanks for the congratulations
@ Avin: We hope for more in Oman where he rides as well. Gatto was indeed surprising while Rojas was the strongest and cleverest, as he used Gatto's lead out for himself.
More opinions on the sponsor thing are welcome, at the moment I would go for a new main sponsor.
Firstly held in 1936 but regularly only since 1977, the Volta ao Algarve is one of the most important Portuguese road races. The Portugueses Belmiro Silva and Candido Barbosa are the record winners with 3 overalls each, the latter scored the imense ammount of 16 stage wins in total and participates again this year.
The profiles of all stages are more or less hilly, but all in all not too demanding. With the time trial on the last stage, weaker time trialists among the puncheurs need to do very well in the first three stages to have a realistic shot at the overall.
Spoiler
Result in 2011
1
Candido Barbosa
Tavira - Prio
2
Tom Boonen
Quick·Step
3
Nicolas Vogondy
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
4
Stijn Devolder
Vacansoleil - DMC
5
Mikhail Ignatiev
Katusha Team
Favorites
Damiano Cunego (Liquigas) , Rein Taaramäe (Cofidis)
Richie Porte (GreenEdge)
Ruben Plaza (Movistar) , Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel)
Chris Anker Sorensen (Nokia)
Jonathan Castroviejo (Barbot) , Rui Costa (Caja Rural)
Damiano Cunego is defenitely the best puncheur here and his form is decent. But he, as well as the likes of Mikel Nieve or Chris Anker Sorensen, need to make time on the better time trialists like Richie Porte, Ruben Plaza or Rein Taaramäe. The Estonian would have even better chances with a reasonable support from his team, but unfortunatly for him: He's the only Cofidis rider participating. Very rare!
Team Liquigas
Damiano Cunego showed enormous strength with his season kick off and we aim to continue his streak. He should be able to gain enough time on the first stages to keep the lead through the time trial. Elia Viviani might get a shot on stage 4.
As we have a lot of mediocre hilly riders including me, we will try as good as possible to get into breaks as well and have a shot at the mountain jersey. So I will try to take part in the break once or twice probably, and otherwise support Damiano.
The stage is hilly but not too demanding. Especially as the last kilometers are flat, it should be difficult to create larger time gaps.
Dominik's Pre-Race Comment
We have two assignments for today. Firstly, we want to get a man into the break to collect some mountain points and release the rest of the team from the work in the pack. I shall be one of the guys to try that. Secondly, we want to protect Damiano for he will try an attack later on. He needs some advance before the time trial.
Live Ticker
Km 2:
The first attacks begin, but as most Liquigas riders are caught behind in the pack, Elia Viviani does the pace...
.
Km 8:
… with medium success. As Dominik Nerz comes to the front and attacks, six riders are 40 seconds in front.
.
Km 16:
The break doesn't really get away. Dominik tries another attack to increase the pace in the group.
.
Km 24:
After a long struggle, Dominik is alone left in front of the chasing pack which isn't willing to let him go.
.
Km 29:
Movistar brought Dominik back. Nevertheless, a courageous performance.
.
Km 32:
Following an attack of Farnese Vini's Romanik, Alessandro Vanotti breaks away.
.
Km 41:
But the pack is still chasing hard. Due to the fast pace, 30 riders already fell back.
.
Km 55:
Shortly before the intermediate sprint, the escapees are almost caught. Seeing a chance for bonus seconds, Damiano Cunego attacks...
.
Km 58:
… and takes the second place behind Juan Pablo Ferero, one of the escapees. Four valuable seconds for him.
.
Km 64:
After everyone was brought back to the pack, it's Nairo Quintana (Cafe de Colombia) launches the next attack. This time, it's Juraj Sagan who counters for Liquigas.
.
Km 73:
And finally, we have a break of the day: Those two establish a lead of solid two minutes.
.
Km 75:
Five riders from the pack try to jump to the front...
.
Km 87:
… but for the moment, only one of them succeeds. Onda's Portuguese Ricardo Vilela catches up. The other riders are split up between the peloton and the original escapees, who are now almost 5 minutes in front.
.
Km 96:
Sagan takes the full points on mountain sprint one.
.
Km 105:
Juraj also wins the following intermediate sprint. With 46 km to go, their advance is still over 5 minutes, but slowly decreasing. Could be close...
.
Km 122:
On the steep descent after the sprint, Nairo Quintana lost contact with Vilela and Sagan. With 32 km left and the pack 4'20 behind, their win becomes more and more probable.
.
Km 131:
The advance even increased now! 5'30, the winner today will be either Juraj Sagan or Ricardo Vilela.
.
Km 135:
Without problems, Sagan takes the second mountain sprint as well. Vilela doesn't look too fresh anymore.
.
Km 140:
15 km to go and the advance grew to even 7 minutes! Sagan and Vilela become real overall contenders with so much advance.
.
Km 141:
Dear god, what a crash! Lots of riders hit the ground, it's impossible to tell who's in there.
.
Km 151:
The sprint is about to begin. Sagan is in the worse position with Vilela on his wheel but he looks a lot fresher and is the better sprinter on the paper.
.
Km 153:
Not before the last kilometers, Vilela attacks Sagan! Can the Slovakian hold him off?
.
Km 154:
Oh yeah! Great win for the young rider!
.
Km 154:
A bit more than a minute later, Quintana secures his third place.
.
Km 154:
In the following minutes, Ruben Perez (Euskaltel), Alessandro Spezialetti (Tavira) and Marco Frapporti (Colnago) cross the line.
.
Km 151:
Dominik Nerz leads Dall'Antonia, Viviani and Cunego towards the sprint for place six...
.
Km 154:
… but Cyril Lemoine (Saur) egdes Viviani out. Still a good result though. The pack eventually finished seven and a half minutes behind Sagan!
.
Km 154:
As a consequence of the crash, two riders had to abandon, both domestiques.
1
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
3h51'34
2
Ricardo Vilela
Onda
s.t.
3
Nairo Quintana
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 1'28
4
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'15
5
Alessandro Spezialetti
Tavira - Prio
+ 2'32
6
Marco Frapporti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 4'21
7
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
+ 7'32
8
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
9
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
10
Davy Commeyne
Landbouwkrediet
s.t.
11
Damiano Cunego
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
...
19
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
Classifications
Overall
1
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
3h51'08
2
Ricardo Vilela
Onda
+ 10
3
Nairo Quintana
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 1'44
4
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'41
5
Alessandro Spezialetti
Tavira - Prio
+ 2'58
6
Marco Frapporti
Colnago - CSF Inox
+ 4'47
7
Juan Forero
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 7'52
8
Damiano Cunego
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 7'54
9
Radoslav Romanik
Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
+ 7'56
10
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
+ 7'58
...
21
Dominik Nerz
Liquigas - Cannondale
s.t.
Points
1
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
31
2
Ricardo Vilela
Onda
24
3
Nairo Quintana
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
18
4
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
14
5
Alessandro Spezialetti
Tavira - Prio
12
Mountain
1
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
12
2
Ricardo Vilela
Onda
8
3
Nairo Quintana
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
4
Young Riders
1
Juraj Sagan
Liquigas - Cannondale
3h51'34
2
Ricardo Vilela
Onda
s.t.
3
Nairo Quintana
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 1'28
4
Elia Viviani
Liquigas - Cannondale
+ 7'32
5
Jonathan Castroviejo
Barbot - Efapel
s.t.
Teams
1
Liquigas - Cannondale
11h49'46
2
Onda
s.t.
3
Colombia es Pasión - Café de Colombia
+ 1'28
Dominik's Comment
Wow, what a stage! Pretty great for us, although not as we expected it to be. It was really important that we kept trying to get into the break, and Juraj did tremendously. Now, he should even be able to compete for the overall win with all the favorites 7'30 behind. Ruben Perez will be dangerous though, and Sagan is really a bad time trialist. But we'll see.
As Juraj won't get into the breaks anymore, another one will aim for the mountain points today in a break, so probably another chance for me as I didn't succeed today. Nevertheless, I could help my team once again in the sprint which went quite well too.
Good result for little Sagan! I think he can take the overall now with today proving he is the best puncheur upfront and none of them being a good TTer. Too bad Dominik couldn't get in a break.
too bad nerz didnt make it in the break with that outcome but nice result for sagan hopefully he can hold on to his lead. 7 min sounds a lot but we ll see - good luck
Nice win for Juraj, he was probably jealous because of brother's great results from last year and grabed one himself
About the sponsor, i agree with Mresuperstar - change is life
and liquigas really had a fine start to the season - i think a new main sponsor could be interesting at least i really like it in my careers
- so: 
really nice!!! keep it up in the next races
